Philip Rivers Is Still Elite: Defending His 2011–12 Seasons with the Chargers

After winning the passing title and receiving MVP consideration in 2010, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has fallen from that upper echelon of quarterbacks perceived to be elite by the masses.

After two back-to-back sub-par seasons, many have written Rivers off as no longer being one of the finer quarterbacks in professional football.

They're just wrong.

What needs to be understood is that the quality of team support provided to a quarterback can have a monumental impact upon his chances of winning, being productive and being efficient.

From 2011 to 2012, the Chargers have won fewer games as Rivers has been less productive and less efficient. There's really no surprise here, it's not complicated.

2011 Chargers:

16th in total defense.

22nd in scoring defense.

16th in total rushing.

12th in yards per attempt.

Philip Rivers (2011):

366 of 582 (62.9) for 4,624 yards, 27 touchdowns and 20 interceptions

88.7 passer rating

What to take away from this: A team that features the 22nd ranked scoring defense is going to have to play catch-up. With nothing but an average running game to keep opposing defenses honest, they are going to load up in nickel-plus coverages to swamp Rivers' receivers in a sea of defensive backs.

Yet, how far a quarterback advances during the season is impacted by the quality of support with which a team surrounds him.

If you stick a quarterback in the same division as Peyton Manning and arm him with the 30th ranked rushing offense in terms of efficiency and nobody but Floyd and Alexander to throw the football to—expect off years to come.